Improvement in Interfacial Performances of Silicone Rubber by Oxygen Plasma Treatment

The Surface of semi-conductive silicone rubber was treated by oxygen plasma to improve adhesion and electric performance in joints between insulating and semi-conductive silicone materials. Surface characterizations were assessed using contact angle measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). Adhesion level was understood from T-peel tests between plasma treated semi-conductive and insulating material. Electrical breakdown strength was measured to understand the charge of electrical performance. From the results, the oxygen plasma treatment produces a significant increase in function group of containing oxygen which can be mainly ascribed to the creation of carbonyl groups on the silicone surface from the strength were improved. Therefore it is concluded then plasma treatment leads to decrease voids originating form poor adhesive, and the improve the adhesion in silicone interface. So we could obtain higher electrical design level of silicone material used for electrical apparatus using oxygen plasma treatment.